I absolutly love roasted chestnuts but was wondering what is the best way to cook'em? And without the open fire too!I baked some with X's carved into them but they didn't turn out so yummy, and I've seen my mom boil them before....

in italy we have a special pan with holes in it used to roast chestnuts.if u can't find them where u live u could try in a very hot oven, but always keep an eye on them 'till they're ready. boiled are lovely too!! mmhhh i love chestnuts, 'specially pureed and spead on a merangue with lots of sweetened whipped cream

For people thinking of gathering their own chestnuts -- be careful! Some are very very poisonous.

A story:I have a friend who, when he'd just moved here, noticed the chestnut trees all around the city. Being the adventurous and independent type, he gathered them and roasted them. Just as he was about to eat them, he decided to call his older brother who lives nearby to invite him over to partake in the chestnuts. Brother, however, is med student who knows about poisonous things, and freaked out as a good older brother would, thus saving my friend from possible death. The end.

Those were probably horse chestnuts, not the sweet chestnuts that are edible. I've never had roasted chestnuts but I've heard you need to poke the shells somehow, no matter if you boil them or roast them or else they'll explode

if you dont have a pan with holes in it you can also use a big frying pan(one without a not stick surface,cast iron would be best).Wash them,slice them,you can soak them for 10 mins or so,to plump them up a bit.add a bit of water to the pan and add your chestnuts,on med heat.after a while,with the lid on ,you will begin to smell them,start to turn up the heat a bit.keep a good eye on them,that they dont burn,and give them a good shake once and a while.then eat them all up.yum.